Archive

Back in July of this year when we launched the marketing campaign for the private sale of our bungalow, we were thrilled and flattered to be approached by Tabitha and Tom, Editor and Aficionado behind Midcentury Magazine — the only UK-based publication for fans and followers of the midcentury movement. It was a real honour when they asked if they could run a feature on our ranch-style, Renway 'Type 60a' bungalow… and of course, we agreed like a shot!

It wasn’t long before they came to interview us at home, seeing the bungalow for themselves, taking a leisurely stroll around the tree-lined roads in Edgcumbe Park, and hearing some of the anecdotes about the estate’s eclectic residents, past and present — not to mention the parties of the ‘swinging sixties’ in the early days of the development!

The issue's launch coincided with this November's Modern Show in Dulwich where we caught up with Tabitha & Tom busily subscribing new readers on their stand. We were delighted to see a generous nine full pages had been given over to featuring the bungalow, illustrated by David's lovely photographs, along with a separate focus on the Renway Construction Company's vision behind Edgcumbe Park co-authored by Scott. In addition, there’s a useful ‘get the look’ section with information on where we obtained our key pieces. In all, a very special memento of our time at the property, and hopefully something to inspire others to remodel their homes, midcentury-style!

Each issue is packed with interesting and information-rich articles all with a midcentury flavour; the current issue no exception with some fascinating reads about furniture designers & manufacturers past and present; where to source the best midcentury finds (and what to look for —great article by Antiques Roadshow expert Mark Hill), and the best in midcentury media & arts (including author David Christopher's appreciation of midcentury hi-fi equipment, and a lovely background insight into Hergé and his Tintin by Charlotte Luxford).

After such a cracker of a year here at the Bungalow, we wanted to share some original Christmas cheer with our readers and followers! We so enjoyed our yuletide poetry last year that it would have been quite remiss not to have a reprise this year... And, being ones for traditional values, classic tunes and crafty wordplay... we'd like to invite you to have a go at our very own Crossword of 25 Festive Numbers that we've created especially for you this Christmas!

With a few seasonal verses by way of introduction, our PDF download should provide much musical merriment. We've had great fun listing to our (somewhat extensive!) library of Christmas tunes, selecting favourites old and new, and devising a good mix of clues both quick and cryptic. If you get stuck, there’s a tracklist of hints which we'll release closer to Christmas — but watch out... two of them are red herrings... extra points if you catch them out!

So download your copy of 25 Festive Numbers... grab yourself a mince pie and some mulled wine... and get sleuthing! We’ll be posting the solution here on our blog on New Year’s Day, and would love it if you'd stop by and add a comment to let us know how you got on!

...And for those of you near & dear, look out for our extra special 2010 Christmas Card popping through your letterboxes soon!

Wishing you all the merriest of Christmasses, and a truly crackerjack New Year!

I'm sending this to my friends and family as I am sure you won't mind them having the same enjoyment as you have given me! Best wishes, John

...fromJohn and Carole, 22-Dec-2010 10:58 AM

How unique! Very nice too. Thanks Scott and David. Merry Christmas and a Happy Hogmanay! See you in 2011! xxx

...fromShauna, 22-Dec-2010 11:04 AM

Hi David and Scott, A brief note to thank you both for the VERY BEST and most engaging Christmas card we have ever received! Great music has kept us amused for the last two days while festive preparations have been in the making, and clues on the crossword all filled in! Look forward to sharing it with the family when they arrive on Friday. So to you {7-downs} - have a very {2-down}, and if {15-across} keep some {23-across} to share with {8-down}! All the very best to you both and again our thanks for the fantastic fun, Jilly and Chris

...fromJill & Chris Willows, 22-Dec-2010 06:28 PM

Hi guys. Only 2 to go!!! Loving this puzzle. Looking forward to seeing you in the New Year. Love from Carole xxx

...fromCarole Doran, 24-Dec-2010 11:04 AM

Hi David & Scott -thanks so much for the excellent card. We think it's brilliant and are very impressed by your creativity! Love, Sue, Sarah & Adam X

...fromSue, Sarah & Adam, 24-Dec-2010 06:15 PM

We continue to be mightily impressed by your Bungalow Industries - you do so much, and all at such high calibre, we don't know how you find time! Your card has got pride of place spot on our Christmas shelf... and has been awarded the top, top prize for best in class, super card we love it... You are super talented clever cloggs. Thank-you!!! Zoë & Tim XXX

It'll be your fault if we can't sleep tonight - we've got one to go! Hope you've had a wonderful day. Much love from us both xx

...fromMike & Mary Weston, 25-Dec-2010 10:50 PM

Now complete after a revelation during the night. Not bad going: about 50 minutes with a kip in between!

...fromMike & Mary, 26-Dec-2010 12:35 PM

Congratulations to two clever boys, Scott and David, for devising this impressive and enjoyable quiz; also for their super, super card. Thank you, and every good wish for 2011. - Peggy

...fromPeggy Jean DENMAN, 26-Dec-2010 01:30 PM

Crossword was great!!! Two clues missed... The Lake and Matrimonial Snowman. Very simple when you know the answers. Happy New Year to you both. Pat

...fromPat, 01-Jan-2011 03:54 PM

Hi Boys, Just to say we finally got your fantastic Christmas Card yesterday, so it was a great idea to do a downloadable version too! I'm pleased as punch with myself that I managed to complete all but The Matrimonial Snowmen clue without help, although looking at everybody else's comments it was a clue that seemed to outfox a lot of us. Well done both of you, this was a welcome diversion for me in particular, in the stressful retailing lead-up to Christmas!.. xxx

...fromJane, 01-Jan-2011 08:59 PM

Having taken down all the cards yesterday, we realised we hadn't done your crossword! So we blitzed it in an hour or so while listening to the tunes - and a fun filled hour it was too. Prize goes to Sig Other for getting the anagram, and we never even peeked at the clues. Thanks so much for providing such festive entertainment. Your talent knows no bounds!

Bungalow Industries had a bank-holiday field trip to the Isle of Wight - a return to a childhood holiday haunt for David, and a first time for Scott - with a very packed itinerary in store! A 4am start for an ungodly-timed ferry from Portsmouth landed us in Fishbourne bright and early for a weekend of touring in the Spider, visiting friends... and seeking out some of the Island's mid-century modernist architectural gems.

Having a couple of hot leads property-wise on the very south of the Island, we based ourselves in Bonchurch - a picturesque seaside village on the easterly edge of Ventnor. The town and its 'Undercliff' region is nowadays home to the Island's species-rich botanic gardens - with the unique geology offering a sheltered, sub-tropical microclimate. Formerly the site of the Royal National Hospital, the renowned therapeutic air offered comfort to consumption sufferers for over 80 years until the arrival of effective antibiotics whereupon it fell into disrepair, to be demolished in 1969.

Our chosen B&B turned out to be something spectacular and quite unique: the Winterbourne Country House. With a breath-taking coastal setting, mesmerising view, suite-like room and superb hospitality, all expectations were exceeded. We'd taken some work with us and planned to use spare time to recharge batteries and provide inspiration. Of this, there was no shortage: some 151 years earlier, none other than the great Charles Dickens had occupied the very next room penning David Copperfield! (No pressure there, then!)

With our days filled with coastal walks, the Botanic Gardens, mackerel lunches in secret coves and even a boat trip to a birthday party on the beach, we barely had time to check out the architecture - but luckily we'd based ourselves in just the right spot...

Exploring the Undercliff, we were lucky enough to spot a number of gems including Chert (shown below left) - now owned and let as holiday accommodation by the National Trust, and described as one of their most unusual properties. Several more individually styled mid-twentieth century homes are to be found dotted around, enjoying the panoramic sea views and it was a treat to see these buildings preserved in their original state by fellow modernist enthusiasts. These properties are of true architectural significance and the Twentieth Century Society has, in the past, organised guided tours of Wight's mid-century-modern hideaways. You can read more about Chert's interesting history here on their website.

Our visit was timed to perfection to coincide with the Bembridge Street Fair where we stepped back into a bygone era of bunting, brass bands, bric-a-brac and cream teas all to the most perfectly elocuted commentary over the Hi-De-Hi-style tannoy. Our Island chums Zoë and Tim were holding their regular stall, selling Zoë's beautiful art-based photographic cards and knitted ties, along with Tim's wonderfully ingenious driftwood sconces. Their stall created a real buzz and a lot of smiles, and it was great to see their work being bought by holidaymakers and locals alike.

There's so much more to explore on Wight than our three days allowed and we're really looking forward to getting back there as soon as we can. We'd definitely stay at the Winterbourne again, and highly recommend it too (try the kippers for breakfast!). The great British seaside holiday is alive, well and thriving on Wight and with all the fun of the ferry it even feels like you're going abroad.

All too soon, and with heavy hearts, we bade our farewells and made for the port - but not before a mad dash to Captain Stan's for two pots of his finest crabmeat for a seafood supper back home!

Add Comment

A rare and special day: an opportunity to tickle the ivories and trip the shutter! After the concerted efforts of the past few months in getting our website finished, downtime has been an elusive luxury and we both welcomed the opportunity to clear out creative cobwebs!

Fingers were a little rusty, admittedly, and Addinsell's Warsaw Concerto (the theme to the 1941 film 'Dangerous Moonlight'... later renamed 'Suicide Squadron') took some flak. The Polish theme continued with run-throughs of some favourite Chopin gems: the last movement of the B minor Sonata, his 1st and 3rd Ballades and the infamous A-flat 'Heroic' Polonaise.

All credit to David for some cracking shots too - a more picture-perfect than note-perfect afternoon, granted... but great fun, a different kind of creative collaboration... and a stern reminder to practise, practise, practise!

Add Comment

A true inspiration listening to your music Scott, always a pleasure to listen over a glass of vino, and hope that our singing does not ruin the musical delights you create. Looking forward to a different type of creative 'interesting' collaboration with a few good old sing songs round the piano very soon!

The perfect start to any Sunday at the Bungalow: Eggs Royale - the classic Benedict, replacing the bacon with smoked salmon. We had some spinach on there too for good measure... and it tasted as good as it looks!

The dish is also known as Eggs Arlington, a name coined by Le Caprice in London's Arlington Street; see their recipe here.

A.A. Gill also refers to the dish by this name in his mouthwatering read "Breakfast at The Wolseley" in which you can learn all about the origins of this gourmet breakfast classic - including why there should always be two eggs per serving: Benedict and Beatrice! A great book, well worth reading!

Add Comment

A big Thank You to all of you who emailed us after the launch of our site, it really means a great deal and we're delighted it's met with your approval! With such kindness shown in taking the time to write to us, we'd really like to share some of your comments here:

"Your website looks absolutely sensational. Just looking through the testimonials and case studies alone immediately makes me want to work with you both."

"I'm loving your brand: the green/grey, use of clean fonts and soft shadows throughout gives it a really nice consistency, I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Bungalow!"

"I think your web site is a very fine one. I wish you'd been around during the 20 years I was working variously as brand manager through to international sales & marketing director. It's elegant and adept, and very accessible at the same time. Not the easiest marriage I would have thought. Good job!"

"Wow! Fantastic site, really different and refreshing."

"...it's slick, polished and simple to navigate..."

"...it's so comprehensive and absolutely outstanding..."

"I think the website is absolutely mega and awesome - you should be just so proud of it!"

...and here's a tongue-twisting stream of consciousness to leave you on, from friend and photographer Zoe Barker (currently exhibiting at the Geffrye Museum in London):

"Well get you and your super-swanky awesomely amazing uber-professional top of the range peachytastic stylish incredibly complex smooth-operating inter-twining website!!"

Add Comment

Hello everybody - here we are at last! It's been some time in the making, being picked up, put down (whilst we priortised our clients' work), redesigned, updated, never finished... until now! With a great final push, the site is born... and what a relief it is too!

We're absolutely delighted to have launched our website and are really thrilled to be able to present a portfolio for you all to see - we're very proud of our work and now having this website enables us to communicate our approach and ethos to a wider audience.

The site also provides a wonderful publishing medium - this blog - which will be our online pasteboard to our thoughts and inspirations, as well as keeping you updated with the latest news and happenings at the Bungalow.

Well, we'll sign off for this inaugural entry, and will gather some of the super feedback we've received about our site for our next post!

Scott and David
The Bungalow.

In the meantime, don't hesitate to get in touch: call us on 0845 60 11 470, tweet us @the_bungalow or use the form below to send us a messasge!